Rotatable grip mechanism



A. H. NISBET ROTATABLE GRIP MECHANISM Filed Jan. 14, 1930 Fig.1.

Dec. 1, 1931.

Fig 12.

ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 1, 1931 UNITED ST TES sAraN-T orricr.

ALEXANDER HAY NISBET, OF LONDON, ENGLAND norATABLE GRIP MECHANISM Application filed January 14, 1930, Serial No. 420,804, and in Great Britain October 11, 1929.

The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to rotatable'grip actuating mechanism of'the Bowden type, of

the kind in which the twist grip has a tubular helically slotted extensionwhich is rotatable in a split sleeve clamped on the outsideof the handle bar and the sleeve is provided outside the twist grip'and its covering with guiding means for a longitudinally movable slide which is connected to the Bowden cable or the like and is engaged by the helical slot of the extended portion of the grip to cause the slide to be moved to and fro to actuate the cable or thelike according to the direction of rotation of the grip.

A feature of the present invention is the provision on the forward portion of the sleeve of a movable cover for the purpose of exposing the slide in its forward position to facilitate the attachment and detachment of the cable or the like. This cover is preferably of the sliding type but it may also be mounted on a hinge or the like.

Another feature is an improved construction of rotatable grip actuating mechanism of the kind above referredto which, while conducing to manufacturingeconomies shall give strong, simple and dependable device having the power ofadjustmen-t to' control the case of rotation of the hand grip. Thus in a rotatable-grip actuating mechanism of the kind above referred to, the gripis provided with a helical slot or like'of quick pitch to engage with an appropriately shaped pro jection depending from a slide which isreceived in a closed topped, axial slot or, way formed or provided. in a sleeve which surrounds such front extension of the rotary grip, and this outer sleeve has its front or inner portion adapted to be clamped to the handle bar or like member by appropriately increasing the thickness of such front portion to suit the diameter of the handle bar or like member, and the rear. or outer portion is adapted to "be tightened upon the tubular extension of the twist grip.

A form of outer sleeve which serves 'well for the-purpose of the present invention is a one-part clamp sleeve comprising a nearly complete tubular portion having, at the front portion, laterally projecting ears or lugs through which a tangent screw or screw nutted bolt is passed to secure the sleeve to the iandle bar or the like, and having along the rear portionsimilar ears or lugs witlrcooperating tightening screw 'or bolt, whereby to draw the rear portion into frictional contact with the tubular extension of the grip with a desired amount of pressure according to the frictional resistance required.

To increase the thickness of' such front portion of the outer sleeve so asto enable such front portion to grip the handle bar or the like, it is convenient and advantageous to fit within such front portion a liner in the form of a one-partrclamp having laterally projecting ears or lugs to register with those of the front portion and co-operate with the tangent screw or bolt thereof,such liner being preferably held to definite position by means of a steady-pin character.

- As an alternative to increasing the thickness of the front'portion of the sleeve the latter may be so formed that the front portion is of reduced diameter. d

The rotating grip is preferably held against longitudinal movement by abutting against a portion of the sleeve or liner at one end and by a clamp on the handle bar againstwhich it abuts at the other, but it may also be so heldvwithin the sleeve by a projection on one part fitting in a slot or recess on the other, or it may be retained against longitudinal movement on the handle bar in either direction by means of a clamp or other suitable means. p

In a variant form the upper part of the sleeve'may be split from end to end, and the twoparts held together by a cover slid over the after portion and engaging the two parts. Such engagement may conveniently be effected by bending back the edges of each part to engage with such cover.

In order that the present invention may be the more readily understood reference is hereinafter made to the constructional example illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through the twist grip which is shown mounted on a handle bar or like carrier tube.

Fig. 2 is.a perspective view of the slide and grip receiving sleeve.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the rotary grip.

Figs. 1 and 5 are perspective views of a liner for the front portion of the outer sleeve and the end clamp respectively. I

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a bearing washer which may project over the end of the clothing ofthe grip.

Fig. 7 is a perspective'view of the slide and Fig. 8 is'a perspective view of the movable cover which is applied to close an opening made in the top of the front end of the-slideguidefor exposing the corresponding end of the slide.

Figs. 9 and 10 show a variant form of slide and grip receiving sleeve made in two parts, and F igs.11 and 12 longitudinal and transverse sectional views of a sliding piece which holdsthe two pieces of such variant sleeve together. i I Referring tothe accompanying drawings, 1 is the twist grip which may be madeafrom metal sheet bent into tubular form and has a suitable rubber or other clothing 2 secured thereto such as by springing a sheath of rubber tightly thereover. The grip 1 has a front tubular extension 3 which is provided with a helical slot or the like 4 of quick pitch, this slot being adapted to be engaged by a suitably shaped projection 5 of a sliding strip or block 6 hereinafter referred to.

The tubular extension 8 is received in the rear or outer portion 7 of a clamp sleeve 8 which is formed from a metal sheet bent into tubular formand has at the front portion 9 lateralears or projections 10 to receive a tangent tightening screw or bolt 11. I The thickness of such front portion 9 is increased as shown by a liner 12 conveniently made from sheet metal bent nearly into the form of a tubulus with lateral ears or projections to register with the ears or projections 10 and to co-operate with the tangent screw. 11, the length of such liner12 being such as to form air-end abutment for the tubular extension 3 of the grip 1.

In forining'the outer one-part clamp sleeve 8 the metal is raised to form an axial groove or way 13 which forms theslide-guide for the slide 6.

Preferably the 1 groove or way 13 termi nates a short distance from the front end of the sleeve 8, and for a short distance the top of the front end of the slideguide or way 13 is cut away, and a slot 14 is cut through the end of the sleeve 8 in line with the longitudinal medial line of the way 13.

.The open topped portion 15 of the way 13 is of such a length that when a suitably shaped cover 16 is removed, a key-hole slot 17 in the slide 6 is exposed when such slide is at the limit of its inward displacement by the helically slotted extension 3 of the grip 1.

Preferably the sides of the open topped portion 15 of the way 13 are bent outwardly so as to frictionally cooperate with the cover 16 which is of somewhat dove-tailed shape in cross-section, such cover having a forward channelled shaped part 18 to extend over the corresponding nd of the outer sheath 19 of a Bowden cable, such end of the outer sheath of the Bowden cable abutting against the end of the front portion 9 of the. sleeve 8, while the inner member 20 lies'in the slot 1% and has its headed end 21"received flush in the wider portion of the key-hole slot 17, this-method of coupling a Bowden Wire to a slide'forming however, no part of the present invention as it is-in accordancewith' an expired Patent No. 17777/13.

Along the rear portion 7 of, the clamp sleeve 8 which is formed so as to leave a longitudinal. gap :21 when formed into a nearly complete tube, is provided with further ears or lugs 22'bywhich withthe aid of a-co-operating tightening screw, or bolt 23 such rear portion 7 canbe tightened uponthetubular extension 3 ofthe grip l-to control the eas of rotation of the grip.

The rotary grip 1 is held from axial movement in either direction by the abutment formedby the inner edge of the thicker front portion'9 of the clamp sleeve 8 on the one hand, and such as by an outer one-part clamp 24 of pressed sheet metal on the other abutting against the outer end of the grip 1 and frictionally secured to the handle bar or like member by lateral lugs or ears 25 and co-operating screw 26.

Flanged bearing washers-24L may be conveniently and advantageously fitted over the [ends of the clothing 2 of the grip 1.

In one-example of manufacturing the outer sleeve 8 this maybe pressed from sheet metal an appropriate blank permitting the metal to be raised to form an axial groove or way 13 whichis open at both ends andperinitting the front portion of the blank to be doubled on itself to form a front clamping portion 9 of the required thickness, and the whole to be shaped to clamp and sleeve form including medial clamping means 22 integral with the sleeve 8 for'tightening' this upon the tubular extension 3 of: the rotary grip 1 for varying the resistance of rotation thereof.

In order to conform to varying diameters of handle barsor like members; the internal diameter of any standard gripcomponent 8 may be varied by the insertionof appropriately disposed liners such as 12 which may be held to definite position by means of a steady pin character such as lugs 25 on the linings 12, engagingnotches 26 in the end or ends of thecomponent 8. p

Other appropriate means may be provided for varying the resistance'of rotation of the rotary grip, for example, a clamp to grip'a portion of the rotary grip,"such clamp being held from rotation such as by a clip or hook engaging a clamp which gripsthe handle bar or like member. 2 J i y In the variant shown in Figs. 9 to 12, the upper part of the-clamp sleeve'8is split from end to end thus comprising two parts 27, 28 having lateral projections 29; 30. The two parts are securedtogether at the top by a cover 31 slid over the afterportion of the sleeve in engagement with the projections 29, 30. The forward openitoppedportion of the way inthesleeve is covered by the sliding cover 16 similar to that-shown in Fig. 8 which is used with the construction illustrated in Figs.1to8. The construction herein described is'notably favourable to manufacturing economies inasmuch as the parts can be cheaply pressed from sheet .metal, and involves notably few parts, thereby effecting a saving in raw material as well as in thenumber of operations necessary for manufacture, also the attachment and detachment of the Bowden cable to or from the slide is very much facilitated, the inner or front portion of the closed topped axial slot or groovebeing so openedby the removal of a slide, clip or other cover as to expose the corresponding end of the slide for engaging or disengaging the power transmission mechanism withoutinterfering with any otherpart of the rotary grip device as operatively secured on the handle bar or like member. a

The term transmission mechanism? is used in the claims hereof to denote that type of mechanism known'in the tradeas Bowden mechanism consisting ofan inextensible inner member or cable and an incompressible outer member or: sheath.

VVhatIclaim is: w 1.- A grip control of the kind described comprising a rotary griphaving tubular helically slotted extension; a split sleeve in which saidtubular helically slotted extension rotates adapted to be clamped on'the' outside of a'carrier member; a gu-idein said sleeve outsidethe'twist grip; a longitudinally movable slide workingalong said guide adapted to permit a transmissionwmeohanism tobe detachably connected therewith, said slide being engaged by the helical slot of said tubular extension and moved thereby onrotation of said rotary grip to actuate the cable of-the transmission mechanism; and a movable cover at the forward'end of said clamp sleeve to expose the slide for attachment or detachment of said transmission mechanism while the slide remains operatively related to the grip.

2. A grip control of the kind described comprising a. rotary grip having a tubular helically slotted extension; a split sleeve in which said tubular helically slotted extension rotates adapted to be clamped on the outside of a carrier member; a guide in said sleeve outside the-twist grip; a longitudinally movable slide working along said guide adapted to permit a transmission mechanism to be de tachably connected therewith, said slide being engaged by the helical slot of said tubular extension and moved thereby on rotation of said rotary grip to actuate the cable of the transmission mechanism; and a movable cover at'the forward end of said clamp sleeve to expose theslide for attachment or detachment of said transmission mechanism while the slide remains operatively related to the grip, said movable cover forming an abutment for the outer member of'the transmission mechanism.

A grip control according to claim 1 having means permitting the transmission mechanism to be radially withdrawn from the ber; a guide in said sleeve outside the twist grip; a-longitudinally movable slide working along said guide adapted to permlt a transmission mechanism to be detachably connected therewith, said slide being engaged by the helical slot of said tubular extension and moved thereby on rotation of said rotating gripto actuate the cable, raised portions on said sleeve; and a movable cover atthe forward end of said clamp sleeve to expose the slide for attachment ordetachment of said transmission"mechanism while theslide re mains operatively related to the grip said cover being secured to the sleeve by a sliding frictional engagement with said raised portions, said cover covering part of the sheath of the transmission mechanism and forming an abutment therefor.

6. A rotary Igripfcontrol for actuating a transmission mechanism comprising a rotary grip member, a sleeve adapted to be clamped on the outside of a carrier member; a longitudinally movable slide adapted to be detachably connected to i atransmission cable;

means in said sleeve for axially guiding said slide; a helical slotin said rotary grip member engaging said slide and mo vingit longi-v tudinally on rotation of said gripimember, a cover which covers the slide when the latter is displaced to the limit of its inward n1ove= ment, said cover being movable to expose the slide for attachment or detachment of the cable without disassembling the grip mechanism and while the slide is positively retained in engagement with said helical slot.

7. A grip control of the kind described for actuating a transmission mechanism comprising a split sleeve; a guide therein; a. rotary grip having a tubular.helicallyslotted extension which is rotatable in said sleeve; said sleeve having one portion there,- ot adapted to be clamped on a carrier mem her and having the otherporti'on adapted to trictionally grip said tubular extension to regulate the ease of rotationof said rotary grip; a longitudinally movable slide work'- ing along said guide adapted to be connected to the transmission mechanism and to be engaged by thehelical slot of said tubular extension and be moved thereby onrotation'oi said rotary grip to actuate the cable;

8. A grip control according to claim 7 having the sleeve portion which is clamped on the carrier tube at one extreme end of the sleeve and having the other portion of the sleeve free to be adjusted to regulate the friction grip between that portion of the sleeve and the tubular extension ofthe rotary grip and means for eflfecti-ng'such adjustment. V I

9. A grip control of the kind described for actuating a transmission mechanism comprising a one-part clamp sleeve in the form of a nearly complete tubulus; a guide therein; a longitudinally moving slide working along said guide and adapted to be connected to thetransmission cable; a rotary grip having a tubularhelically slotted extension which is rotatable in said sleeve to move said slide; said sleeve having a thicker front portion adapted to be secured to a carrier member by a tangent screw and a rear portion adapted to frictionally grip said tubular helically slotted extension, said rear portion being adjustable by a tangent screw to regulate the case'oi. rotation of the rotary grip; and means permitting said transmission mechanism to be attached to or detached from said slide while the slide remains operatively related to the grip.

10. A grip control of the kind'de'scribed for actuating a transmission mechanism comprising a clamp sleeve made in two parts; means on one side thereof for enabling said parts to be clamped together at one end on a carrier member; a rotary grip having a tubular helically' slotted extension which is rotatable in said sleeve; means for adjusting said sleeve at the other end to reg-- ula-te the frictional grip between the sleeve and said tubular helically slotted extension; a guide formed by'said sleeve; 'a' longitudinally -moving slide adapted to be detachably connected to the transmission mechanisin and to be engaged by the helical slot of said tubular extension and be moved thereby on rotation of said rotary grip to actuate said: transmission mechanism; and aslidable cover engaging the two parts of the clamp sleeve on the other side; said cover when moved permitting said transmission mechanism to be attached to or detached from said slide while'the slideremains operatively related to the grip.

11; A grip control according to claim 10 inwhioh the sleevehas two of its edges bent back-aportion of their lengths for engage- Inentof the sliding cover. I w

12. A grip control; according to claim 7 having a liner for adjusting the thickness of the portion. ofthesleeve. which is clamped to thecarrier member.

v13. Av grip control according. to claim 7 having a split one part liner for adjusting thethickness of the portion of the sleeve which is clamped to the carrier member; and a. tangent screw for'clamping said liner.

14. A grip control according to-claim 7 having a, liner for adjusting the thickness of the portion of the sleevewhich is clamped to the carriermember and meansof a steady pin character forholding said liner to definite position. 7 v I 15. A grip control of the kind described for actuating a transmission. mechanism comprising a split sleeve; an open top guide therein; a rotary grip having a tubular helically slottedextension which is rotatable in said sleeve; said sleeve having one portion thereof provided with means to clamp the sleeve on a carrier member and having the other portiontofrictionally grip said tubular extension andprovided with means for adjusting the friction grip to regulate the ease of rotation of said rotary grip; a longitudinally movable slideworking along said guide adapted to be connected to the transmission mechanism and to be engaged by the helicalslot of said tubular extension and be moved thereby on rotation-of saidrotary grip to actuate the cable; and a movable cover for the ope-ntop guide adapted to be moved to-expose the slide for attachment or detachment of the cable;

16. A grip control of the kinddescribed for actuating a transmission mechanism comprising a-split'pressed sheet metal sleeve stampedlto shape adaptedto' be clamped on the outside'of a handlebar or like support; a guide in said sleeve; a rotary grip having a tubular helicallyslotted extension which is rotatable in said'sleeve; a longitudinally movable slide working along said guide adapted to be connectedt'o the transmission 19 cable and to be engaged by the helical slot of said tubular extension and to be moved thereby on rotation of said rotating grip to actuate the cable; raised portions bent up from said sleeve; and a movable cover at the forward end of said clamp sleeve to expose the slide for attachment or detachment of the cable; said cover being secured to the sleeve by engagement with said raised portions, said cover forming an abutment for the sheath of the transmission mechanism.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

ALEXANDER HAY NISBET; 

